Canadian Olympic Heritage
Holding the Olympic Games in a city inevitably leaves traces, not only on the landscape, but also
in the memories of the athletes, the spectators and the residents. The emblems
of the Montréal and Calgary Olympic Games are imprinted upon the Canadian collective
memory. The torch relay allowed tens of thousands of Canadians to share the olympic experience.
From a cultural perspective, the programs developed for the occasion of the Games made
it possible for the arts to expand in several regions, including Alberta. Many exhibitions
organized for the Games subsequently travelled across the country, which allowed them to
reach a larger audience. The spillover effect on tourism and the economy was considerable.
The preparations for the Olympic Games had an inevitable influence on urban development.
The Games held in Montréal and Calgary required the construction of new sports
facilities, new hotels and parking lots, and the improvement of existing sites. The
Games therefore left behind a significant architectural heritage.
The Olympic Games leaves its mark on the landscape and in the collective memory...
In Montréal, the Games made it possible to develop the Olympic Park. The
construction of new sports facilities, including the Centre Claude-Robillard, made it
possible to enhance certain neighbourhoods. The athletes' village was transformed into
housing, and the former velodrome became the Montréal Biodôme. Similarly, the road networks,
transportation, parks and trails improved as a result.
In order to meet the requirements of the Games, the city of Calgary saw the development
and construction of olympic facilities. The Olympic Park Canada, the Canadian Centre
of Sport Excellence and the Olympic Oval were built specifically for the occasion; the
McMahon Stadium and Stampede Corral were renovated. These buildings and the numerous
facilities that were required in order to hold the Olympic Games benefit the Canadian
population today. There was also a considerable spillover effect on tourism and the economy.
...helps to make this world a better world that is more tolerant of our differences...
The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games which will take place in Vancouver in 2010 will also leave
behind a legacy. The Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation is placing a special emphasis on
a "sustainable legacy." Existing buildings and sites will be renovated and
improved, and new sports facilities, ultramodern sites and housing will be built, which
must take into account the protection of the environment. Planned transportation
infrastucture must be designed so that it will be adequate during and after the Games.
The facilities intended for the athletes will be transferred to the cities of Vancouver
and Whistler for housing. In addition to generating profits, the Vancouver Winter Games
must have a positive impact on tourism in the city, the province and Canada. Another goal
is to promote sports and the physical, mental and social health of the Canadian population.
Montréal and Calgary have gained international notoriety. They are now among the
ranks of olympic cities, as Vancouver will be eventually. It is an undeniable fact that the
Olympic Games give rise to a feeling of national pride, but one of the greatest legacies of
these Games remains the spreading of the olympic ideal throughout the Canadian population.
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